Tag: nuclear
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Space Force Taps Sphinx Defense for $287 Million Nuclear Command Software
The Ground Resilient Integration and Framework for Operational Nuclear Command, Control, and Communications framework serves as the primary software ground segment for the ESS weapon system, replacing legacy ground infrastructure used by the Advanced Extremely High Frequency constellation. Built using the Department of Defense’s Software Acquisition Pathway, the application layer emphasizes containerized microservices and rapid…
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NASA awards SpaceX a contract for one of the few things it hasn’t done yet
When you compare SpaceX to the world’s other space enterprises, it’s probably easier to list the things SpaceX hasn’t done instead of reciting all of the company’s achievements. One of these is the launch of nuclear materials. SpaceX has launched a handful of planetary science missions for NASA, but these spacecraft have all used solar…
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Satellite images suggest test of Russian “super weapon” failed spectacularly
The Sarmat missile silo seen before last week’s launch attempt. Maxar Technologies The Sarmat missile silo seen before last week’s launch attempt. Maxar Technologies A closer view of the Sarmat missile silo before last week’s launch attempt. Maxar Technologies A closer view of the Sarmat missile silo before last week’s launch attempt. Maxar Technologies Fire…
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Three terms sure to grab attention: Russia, nuclear, anti-satellite weapon
When you think about the prospect of Russia putting nukes in space, you can understand why some people might fill in the blanks and envision a surprise apocalyptic bombardment from orbit. That is the nightmarish prophecy members of Congress tried to extinguish Wednesday after news leaked that US intelligence officials obtained information about Russian preparations…
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Zeno demonstrates an innovative type of radioisotope heat source for off-grid power
Team members at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory remove Zeno Power’s strontium-90 heat source from a transfer port during a series of tests. (Zeno Power Photo) Zeno Power says it has successfully completed its first demonstration of a new type of radioisotope heat source that could be used to generate off-grid power in settings ranging from…
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NASA joins forces with DARPA on effort to demonstrate nuclear rocket for Mars trips
An artist’s conception shows a nuclear-powered demonstration rocket in space. (DARPA Illustration) The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has taken on NASA as a partner for a project aimed at demonstrating a nuclear-powered rocket that could someday send astronauts to Mars. DARPA had already been working with commercial partners — including Blue Origin, the space…
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Space nuclear power is nearing critical mass as the final frontier’s next frontier
An artist’s conception shows a spacecraft firing up its nuclear thermal propulsion system. (DARPA Illlustration) The idea of putting nukes in space may sound like a national security nightmare, but the right kind of nukes are likely to be a must-have for long-term space exploration. At least that’s the way a panel of experts at…
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NASA’s Kilopower project demonstrates a nuclear reactor that’s made for space
Kilopower lead engineer Marc Gibson and Vantage Partner’s Jim Sanzi install hardware on the Kilopower assembly at the Nevada National Security Site during testing in March. (NNSS Photo) That’s one small step for nuclear reactors on the moon and Mars, and several giant leaps to go. Eventually, the technology pioneered by NASA’s Kilopower project could…
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Nudge ’em or nuke ’em: Asteroid defense plans take shape in U.S. and Russia
An artist’s conception shows an asteroid entering Earth’s atmosphere. (Credit: NASA) What should the world do about the potential threat of a catastrophic asteroid collision? This month NASA established the Planetary Defense Coordination Office to manage the issue. Meanwhile, the Russians and the Europeans are talking about diverting nasty space rocks with nuclear weapons. All this…
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Enabling the future: NASA call for exploration revolution via NIAC concepts
NASA’s Space Technology Program announced on Monday they are looking for what they describe as “far-out” concepts and ideas, as part of the Agency’s NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program. Otherwise tagged as “game-changing”, such concepts range from advanced space suits to new propulsion methods for exploration spacecraft. NIAC: The original NIAC ran from 1998-2007,…